The University of Arkansas has renamed its program for supply chain studies to be the J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management, according to a press release from J.B. Hunt. The program was ranked the No. 1 supply chain undergraduate program for 2022 by consulting firm Gartner.
"J.B. Hunt and the University of Arkansas are shaping the future of supply chain, not just in Northwest Arkansas, but across the country," said Shelley Simpson, president of J.B. Hunt. "Together, we are preparing future leaders who will grow with the industry to meet evolving supply chain challenges. This will help us achieve our mission of creating the most efficient transportation network in North America, and ultimately the world."
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J.B. Hunt is No. 5 on the FleetOwner Top 500: For-Hire Fleets of 2022 list. To extend support of their continued collaboration, the company also will commit $1.5 million to the university’s college of business to enhance the development of the J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management.
Since 2017, J.B. Hunt has gifted $7 million to the University of Arkansas to advance supply chain-focused initiatives, with $5 million of that dedicated to enabling the university’s Sam M. Walton College of Business’ supply chain program over the past two years. J.B. Hunt and the Walton College have jump-started initiatives to study factors such as inclusion, sustainability, thought leadership, education, and innovation.
“Walton College aims to be the leader in supply chain management education, research, and career readiness,” said Matt Waller, dean of the Walton College and holder of the Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair in Business. “A gift of this magnitude from one of the global leaders in logistics can expand our reach to talented students, expert faculty and industry thought leaders. Together, we can advance the industry’s positive growth and practice.”
See also: J.B. Hunt names Shelley Simpson president
Waller presented Simpson with a plaque recognizing the department’s new name and the college’s appreciation for J.B. Hunt. The department named after the transportation industry leader will house the undergraduate integrated supply chain management program recently ranked No. 1 in North America by Gartner. The department’s graduate program ranked second.
J.B. Hunt and Walton College have worked together since the department was established, beginning with the J.B. Hunt Supply Chain University in 2014. The program was to help employees gain a better understanding of supply chain beyond transportation and logistics. In 2017 the two, along with the University of Arkansas College of Engineering, created the J.B. Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence, made possible through a $2.75 million grant from J.B. Hunt.
The combined effort brought researchers and students together with J.B. Hunt employees to develop solutions through innovative design and technology. In 2020, the two announced a $2.25 million collaboration to increase awareness of inclusion and diversity in transportation and logistics. Last year, J.B. Hunt created a $1 million endowed scholarship fund to encourage students to pursue supply chain careers.
